Clara Jean "Sue" Anderson

Clara Jean “Sue” Anderson, 83, of Kalamazoo passed away at her home on February 5, 2024.  She was born November 7, 1940, in Lawrence, Michigan, to the late Clare and Elsie (Zimmer) Herriman. Her sister, Grace, was two years older. 

Sue graduated from Lawrence High School in 1959. She attended Hope College and Western Michigan University, graduating with a degree in Elementary Education in 1963. During her college years, she fell in love with Robert “Bob” Anderson, a fellow Lawrence alum. Bob and Sue were married in Hartford, Michigan, on June 16, 1962. While both college students in Kalamazoo, the couple settled in a tiny house in Oshtemo. Their first child was born a day after Sue graduated from college. While raising her young family, Sue taught at Chime Street School in Oshtemo and then later at Mattawan Consolidated School District. 

In 1963, Bob and Sue found their forever home, a two-bedroom ranch with a bit of land at the edge of Kalamazoo County. Early on, they added to the house, eventually creating a tri-level home. Here they raised their four children, Karen, David, Sherry and Bobby. After the kids arrived, Sue was a stay-at-home mom while occasionally substitute teaching. Sue always had a soft spot for animals, with the family eventually having many cats, dogs, horses, bunnies, hamsters, birds, and even a de-scented skunk. Ever the backbone of her family, Sue helped Bob in 1978 to start his own plastic manufacturing company, North Star Molding. There, Sue served as the first secretary/bookkeeper, and eventually started her own subsidiary, Starlight Enterprises, doing assembly work. Her final “work” was her greatest joy as hands-on Grandma. Sue would often have a grandkid with her or be babysitting at one of her kids’ houses.  

Sue enjoyed traveling, which included many trips around the world with Bob. In the 1980’s and 90’s, heading to Florida for Christmas with was a given. Summer trips to Mackinac Island started as Bob’s work trips and eventually became a favorite family destination of all the kids and grandkids.

Sue was an amazingly creative person. She updated and decorated the house several times during the 60 years she lived there. Much of the work she’d do herself, eventually helping her kids paint and decorate their homes. Sue also dabbled with ceramics, tole painting, making dolls, knitting, and gardening. Her true creative passion turned out to be quilting. Family and friends counted themselves lucky upon receiving one as a gift. Quilting also led Sue to meet and enjoy a wonderful group of friends. 

Sue was preceded in death by her husband, Bob, in 2019, and sister, Grace, in 2021. She is survived by the five children she and Bob raised together: Karen Anderson, David (Carol Sue) Anderson, Sherry (Joe) Bennett, Bobby (Shannon) Anderson, and Mitch (Terra) Anderson-Terry. Also surviving are her grandchildren, Mitch (Terra), Eric, Juliet, Cecelia, Joe, Matt, Dan, Marie, Hailey, Cameron, and her great-granddaughters, Scottlynn, Novalie, and Emory.

Family will receive friends on Wednesday, February 14, from 5:00 pm to 7:00 pm at Langeland Family Funeral Homes Burial & Cremation Services, 3926 S 9th St, Kalamazoo, MI 49009. Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated Thursday, February 15, at 11:00 am at St. John Bosco Catholic Church, 23830 Front St, Mattawan, MI 49071, with Rev. Fr. Alan Jorgensen, celebrant. Burial will take place at Fort Custer National Cemetery on Friday, February 16 at 11:00 am.

Please visit Sue’s personalized online guestbook at https://www.langelands.com. Memorial contributions may be made to St. John Bosco Catholic Church, 23830 Front St, Mattawan, MI 49071 or Bronson Health Foundation/Cancer Care - Kalamazoo Fund, 301 John Street, Box 73, Kalamazoo, MI 49007.